Test Strategy
EIKEN to IELTS: the width is on the IELTS side
EIKEN and IELTS from official sources: why a pass fixes your CEFR level, why the official table shows two ticks per grade, and where the width really opens up.
11 min read
IELTS Drills Blog
Study guides for the IELTS examiner's eye
Band Descriptor breakdowns, 5-minute study habits, and module-specific tactics — written by the IELTS Drills team.
Test Strategy
IELTS Listening map labelling: no paraphrase, two layouts
IELTS plan/map/diagram labelling: why the recording uses the exact printed names instead of synonyms, the two official layouts, and what is a tendency rather than a rule.
10 min read
Test Strategy
IELTS Enquiry on Results: what a remark can and cannot do
IELTS Enquiry on Results: the 6-week deadline, why no official success rate exists, why your result is unusable in Japan while the review runs, and the arithmetic to run before you pay.
10 min read
Test Strategy
IELTS Matching Information: the paragraph-first method
IELTS Matching Information: the technique in Cambridge's own teacher's notes, why passage order and elimination give you nothing here, and the near-miss that costs the marks.
8 min read
Test Strategy
IELTS Matching Headings: gist, distractors, and elimination
IELTS Matching Headings: why Cambridge tells you to read the paragraph before the headings, how the extra headings catch you, and an elimination workflow that works.
8 min read
Test Strategy
IELTS True False Not Given: how to tell False from Not Given
The IELTS True/False/Not Given question type: a three-step decision procedure, the False vs Not Given line, qualifier traps, and how it differs from Yes/No/Not Given.
8 min read
Test Strategy
IELTS on computer: what the end of paper actually changes
IELTS is retiring the paper test market by market. What IELTS actually said, the Writing on Paper option, and what changes in each of the four skills.
7 min read
Test Strategy
IELTS One Skill Retake: which skill should you retake?
IELTS One Skill Retake gives you one skill, once, within 60 days. The rounding math that decides whether a retake moves your overall band, and how to pick the right skill.
9 min read
Test Strategy
IELTS to CEFR: what band is B2, C1, and what they mean
IELTS to CEFR levels: band 5.5-6.5 is B2 and 7-8 is C1 per IELTS itself. What B2 and C1 actually mean, the borderline bands, and why A2 has no official band.
8 min read
Band Descriptor
IELTS Band Descriptors: every official criterion, explained
IELTS Band Descriptors explained: the four Writing criteria and four Speaking criteria, what separates band 6 from 7 on each, why Reading and Listening have none, plus the official PDFs.
8 min read
Band Descriptor
IELTS paraphrasing: four techniques, and the meaning trap
IELTS paraphrasing done right: the four techniques, how each maps to the Band Descriptors, the meaning-drift trap to avoid, and why copying the prompt scores nothing.
9 min read
Band Descriptor
IELTS combination charts Task 1: two figures, Band 9
The IELTS combination chart (Writing Task 1, two or multiple charts): one combined introduction and overview, splitting the body, the two tenses, and a Band 9 model.
10 min read
Band Descriptor
IELTS Writing Task 1 table: selection, tense, Band 9
The IELTS table (Writing Task 1): why selection beats listing every cell, static vs dynamic tables and the tense each needs, comparison language, and a Band 9 model.
10 min read
Band Descriptor
IELTS process diagram Task 1: passive, tense, Band 9
The IELTS process diagram (Writing Task 1): the passive and present tense it needs, natural vs man-made processes, sequencing language, and a Band 9 model.
11 min read
Band Descriptor
IELTS map Task 1: tenses, compass language, Band 9
The IELTS map (Writing Task 1): which tense each map variant needs, compass and change vocabulary, organising by area not by change, and a Band 9 model answer.
11 min read
Band Descriptor
IELTS pie chart Task 1: proportion language, Band 9
The IELTS pie chart (Writing Task 1): what the overview needs, the proportion language that lifts your score, one pie versus two, and a Band 9 model answer.
10 min read
Test Strategy
TOEIC to IELTS conversion: the honest, sourced range
What TOEIC 800 or 900 means in IELTS: what ETS and IELTS actually publish, why no exact conversion exists, and the half of IELTS that TOEIC never measures.
11 min read
Band Descriptor
IELTS bar chart Task 1: static vs dynamic, Band 9
The IELTS bar chart (Writing Task 1): spot static vs dynamic, the comparison language and tense each needs, the overview that scores, and a Band 9 model.
11 min read
Band Descriptor
IELTS line graph Task 1: structure and Band 9 model
The IELTS line graph (Writing Task 1): the overview that decides Task Achievement, the trend vocabulary and tense you need, and a Band 9 model answer.
11 min read
Band Descriptor
IELTS two-part question essay: answer both fully
The IELTS two-part (direct) question essay gives you two questions to answer in equal depth, one often for your opinion. Structure, a Band 9 model, and traps.
11 min read
Band Descriptor
IELTS problem-solution essay: structure and traps
The IELTS problem-solution essay needs both halves developed and every solution matched to a problem. Structure, a Band 9 model, and the Band 6 traps.
11 min read
Band Descriptor
IELTS Writing Task 1 band descriptors: official PDF decoded
Official IELTS Writing Task 1 band descriptors PDF, plus what Task Achievement, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource and Grammatical Range mean band by band.
12 min read
Band Descriptor
IELTS advantages and disadvantages essay: outweigh trap
The IELTS advantages and disadvantages essay has two versions: 'discuss' needs no verdict, but 'outweigh' demands one. Structure, a Band 9 model, and the traps.
10 min read
Band Descriptor
IELTS discussion essay: both views and your opinion
The IELTS discussion essay (discuss both views and give your own opinion): both sides covered evenly, one clear opinion, a Band 9 model, and the Band 6 traps.
10 min read
Band Descriptor
IELTS opinion essay: agree-or-disagree structure
The IELTS opinion essay (agree or disagree, to what extent) turns on one clear position held to the last line. Plus a Band 9 model and the Band 6 traps.
10 min read
Band Descriptor
IELTS General Training Writing Task 1: the letter, scored
IELTS General Training Writing Task 1 is a letter. How register and tone decide Band 6 vs 7, covering all three bullet points, with formal and informal models.
12 min read
Band Descriptor
IELTS Writing Task 2 topics and the 5 question types
IELTS Writing Task 2 has endless topics but only five question types: opinion, discussion, advantages, problem-solution, two-part. How to spot each one.
6 min read
Band Descriptor
IELTS Writing Task 1 types: how to describe each chart
IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 has seven chart types: line, bar, pie, table, process, map, combination. What each overview must capture, and the tense to use.
7 min read
Test Strategy
IELTS vs TOEFL: which to take in 2026 (and how they differ)
IELTS vs TOEFL in 2026: the new 1–6 TOEFL scale, Speaking interview vs mic, difficulty, cost, and One Skill Retake vs MyBest, plus how to choose.
8 min read
Test Strategy
IELTS Reading question types: how to solve each one
IELTS Reading needs a different strategy per question type: True/False/Not Given, matching headings, multiple choice, completion, and the traps to avoid.
7 min read
Study Tips
Are there IELTS past papers? Official practice, used right
IELTS has no released past papers, but Cambridge IELTS books are the real thing, official free practice exists, and tests are best used to find your weak axis.
6 min read
Test Strategy
How to get IELTS Band 7: requirements for every section
IELTS Band 7 is CEFR C1. An overall 7.0 needs four sections averaging 6.75, Listening and Reading near 30/40, plus the right Writing and Speaking descriptors.
7 min read
Test Strategy
IELTS Academic vs General Training: which to take
IELTS Academic vs General Training: only Reading and Writing differ. Why GT Reading is scored stricter, how Task 1 differs, and which module to take.
8 min read
Test Strategy
IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC & Eiken score conversion table 2026
Compare IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC, Eiken and CEFR scores in one 2026 table, built from each test's own official CEFR alignment, plus why no single number is exact.
9 min read
Band Descriptor
IELTS pronunciation: how it's scored, band by band
Pronunciation is 25% of your IELTS speaking score, judged on intelligibility, not accent. The official band 6 and band 8 wording, decoded, and how to climb.
10 min read
Study Tips
IELTS study plan: 3 months, built on the Band Descriptors
Most IELTS study plans are cram-PDF checklists. This 3-month plan diagnoses which Band Descriptor is blocking your 0.5, then drills that one axis five minutes a day.
10 min read
Study Tips
How to learn IELTS vocabulary that reaches Band 7
IELTS vocabulary lists chase rare words the Band Descriptor never rewards. How to pick, encode, and retain words that move your band, five minutes a day.
8 min read
Test Strategy
IELTS Listening tips: a strategy for every question type
IELTS Listening tips by question type: predict before the audio, beat map labelling and multiple choice, and recover fast when you miss an answer. The recording plays once.
8 min read
Test Strategy
IELTS Reading tips: a strategy for every question type
IELTS Reading tips by question type: how to beat True/False/Not Given and matching headings, plan your 60 minutes, and stop losing marks you already found.
9 min read
Test Strategy
IELTS Reading band score: correct answers table (2026)
IELTS Reading raw score to band for Academic and General Training: how many correct answers you need for band 6, 7, 8, and why one mark can shift your band by 0.5.
10 min read
Test Strategy
IELTS Listening band score: the raw-to-band table
The IELTS Listening band score table: raw score to band, why one answer can swing your result by 0.5, and the spelling and word-limit traps that quietly cost marks.
7 min read
Test Strategy
IELTS speaking part 3: questions and the 45-second answer
IELTS speaking part 3 is a 4-5 minute abstract discussion built on your part 2 topic. Question types, a 45-second answer shape, and what examiners listen for.
11 min read
Test Strategy
IELTS speaking part 1: questions and the 25-second answer
IELTS speaking part 1 is a 4-5 minute interview on familiar topics. Common questions, a 25-second answer formula, and what examiners are listening for.
10 min read
Band Descriptor
IELTS Writing Task 2: question types, structure, scoring
IELTS Writing Task 2 decides two-thirds of your Writing band. The five question types, one structure for all of them, and what the four descriptors reward.
12 min read
Band Descriptor
IELTS Writing Task 1 (Academic): scored on four axes
IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 is scored on the same four band descriptors as Task 2. Why a missing overview caps Task Achievement at Band 5, and what each axis rewards.
10 min read
Test Strategy
IELTS speaking part 2 cue card: structure a 2-minute answer
IELTS speaking part 2 gives you 1 minute to prepare and 2 to talk. A reusable structure for the cue card long turn, a prep-note template, and what examiners score.
10 min read
Band Descriptor
IELTS speaking band descriptors: 4 criteria, band by band
IELTS speaking is scored on four equally weighted band descriptors. See what separates band 6 from band 7 in fluency, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation.
10 min read
Band Descriptor
IELTS Task Response: answering the question isn't enough
Task Response is the IELTS Writing Task 2 criterion examiners read first. Why answering the question isn't enough for Band 7, with examples that show what is.
10 min read
Band Descriptor
IELTS grammatical range and accuracy: complex isn't better
Grammatical range and accuracy is 25% of each IELTS Writing task score, yet piling on complex sentences is a Band 6 habit. What GRA rewards instead, with examples.
9 min read
Band Descriptor
IELTS lexical resource: fancy words won't get you to band 7
Lexical resource is 25% of each IELTS Writing task score, yet reaching for rarer words is a Band 6 habit. What LR rewards instead, with before/after examples.
9 min read
Band Descriptor
IELTS coherence and cohesion: linking words won't reach 7
Coherence and cohesion is 25% of each IELTS Writing task score, yet piling on linking words is a Band 6 habit. What CC rewards instead, with before/after examples.
9 min read
Test Strategy
How IELTS band scores are calculated (and the 0.5 rule)
Your IELTS overall band is the average of four sections, rounded to the nearest half. The exact rounding rule (6.25 becomes 6.5), worked examples, and which section to push for your next 0.5.
8 min read
Band Descriptor
Stuck at IELTS 6.5? The 4 Band Descriptors blocking your 0.5
Why 'just improve your English' stops working at Band 6.5, and how to diagnose which of the 4 Writing Band Descriptors (TR / CC / LR / GRA) is blocking your next 0.5.
7 min read